LOCAL PHOTOS, Mid-September: Green Acres Gardens and Grounds

In order to finish up my planned power point presentation on the “Evolution of Green Acres Village” to the North American Permaculture Convergence in Hopland California on Sunday, September 18, yesterday I decided to roam around our beloved two-homestead and take a few current pictures.

Here are three that illustrate Rebecca’s capacity for making beauty wherever she places her attention.

Tucked away, planted inside a tiny log, these tiny flowers.

Bones, a large mushroom, and shells grace the remains of the old elm we cut down for our first hugelkulture bed several years ago.

Elephant ear and sculpture garden inside the patio out back of Overhill house where we hold our weekly Community Dinners, do art, play music, celebrate our connectivity in many ways.

We grew a number of new vegetables and fruits this year, some of which went into our four member CSA, but more to those who live here.

Passion flower fruit.

Gherkin pickles done, but one gourd hangs on.

Fig tree in front of DeKist house.

Another sculpture garden, this one tiny, made by Brie’s dad; her Mom planted the tiny purple flowers. I planted the “toothache” flowering plant, which I now discover is HIGHLY medicinal, and spreads wildly . . .

Tiny purple hot peppers.

Tiny sweet green peppers.

Pond (now a wetland), after big rain just now filled it up again. (The “pond” takes water from both roofs — and leaks, due to roots penetrating the rubber.) Notice the passion flower plant in back, climbing up DeKist house wall and onto the metal roof, the south side of which holds our solar panels for both houses.

Sweet potatoes in foreground; blackberry bushes in background.

Our new hugelkultur bed from downed log (see post on “Flash Mob Job”) now sports another covering of grass, thanks to Arielle and me and our wheelbarrows two evenings ago.

Some of our tools hang from wall of DeKist. Tools are also shared with nearby neighbors.

Darn! I forgot to take pictures at the last Community Dinner, which Dan convened with the theme “Breakfast at Dinner.” He made some wicked quiche, and was kind enough to do it gluten-free, with sweet potato crusts. YUM!

After that shared meal, I had asked those who wanted to review and critique my upcoming Green Acres PP presentation to troop inside to the living room, where we got down to business. Lots of spirited but loving critiques! Including the idea that I needed more current pictures of the garden and grounds. Which is what inspired this photo shoot yesterday. Thanks, villagers!